8 Ups & 1 Down From AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door 2023 (Review)

5. A Quietly Very Good Story

SANADA Vs. Jungle Boy Jack Perry was good to very good, but in the context of an IWGP World Title match, that isn't good enough. This wasn't a match that either man can use to silence their critics. The rap on both is that, while very talented, they aren't bonafide headliners no matter how much their respective companies attempt to promote them as such.

The story told was actually really good. The idea that neither man admitted to obvious intense preparation in kayfabe was inspired. Both men are perceived as aloof - Perry has no interest in cutting promos, SANADA has no interest in emoting - and they played with that idea to craft something unexpected. The idea that they care a lot crept into the narrative, when the extent to their preparation revealed itself with some cool, strategic counters and move thefts, but this was still a bit soulless and lacking entirely in the big-time aura of a title match.

The anticlimactic finish and short duration didn't help the nagging idea that this was mere backdrop for an angle, but the angle was very, very well done. Perry drew a lot of heat for attacking HOOK in the post-match, and the stuff with Taz was tremendous. AEW often replaces a commentator on PPV shows, and using a shellshocked Taz, tending to HOOK, to sub in Tony Schiavone was inspired.

That's the level of thought at which peak AEW operates.